Cell line, system and method for optical control of secondary messengers

ABSTRACT

A variety of methods, devices and compositions are implemented for light-activated molecules. One such method is implemented for generating secondary messengers in a cell. A nucleotide sequence for expressing a chimeric light responsive membrane protein (e.g., rhodopsin) is modified with one or more heterologous receptor subunits {e.g., an adrenergic receptor (alpha1, Beta2)}. The light responsive membrane protein is expressed in a cell for producing a secondary messenger in response to light.

RELATED PATENT DOCUMENT

This patent document is the national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371of International Application No. PCT/US2009/045611 filed on May 29,2009, which claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/057,108 filed on May 29, 2008and entitled “Cell Line, System and Method for Optical Control ofSecondary Messengers;” each of these patent documents is fullyincorporated herein by reference.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

Incorporated by reference in its entirety is a computer-readablenucleotide/amino acid sequence listing submitted concurrently herewith,and identified as follows: One 12,342 Byte ASCII (Text) file named“STFD195PCT_ST25.txt” created on Apr. 29, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and approaches forgenerating secondary messengers in response to optical stimulus and moreparticularly to a cell lines, nucleotide sequences, chimeric proteins,and uses thereof, each relating to the production of secondarymessengers in response to light.

BACKGROUND

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) are believed toalternate between an inactive guanosine diphosphate (GDP) state and anactive guanosine triphosphate (GTP) bound state. These two states havebeen linked to the release of a secondary messenger within a cell. Thereleased secondary messenger can function to regulate downstream cellprocesses.

Secondary messengers include signaling molecules that are rapidlygenerated/released. These molecules produce cellular responses byactivating effector proteins within the cell. Example cellular signalingsystems include the phosphoinositol system, the cyclic adenosinemonophosphate (cAMP) system, and the arachidonic acid system.

Changes between the different states of the G proteins can be triggeredas a result of proteins called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), Gprotein-linked receptors (GPLR), seven transmembrane domain receptors(7TM receptors) or heptahelical receptors. This protein family includesa variety of transmembrane receptors. These receptors respond toexternal stimuli (e.g., light, neurotransmitters, odors or hormones) byactivating signal transduction pathways internal to the cell.Specifically, ligands bind and activate the transduction pathwaysthereby causing the G proteins to alternate states. GPCR-relatedactivity is associated with many diseases, and thus, GPCRs are thetarget of many pharmaceuticals and treatments.

It is believed that over 30% of all drugs on the market target G-proteincoupled receptors (GPCRs) and that many of those drugs relate to theproduction or inhibition of the secondary messenger cAMP. There is anabundance of pathological processes that directly involve cAMP,including neurophysiological, endocrinological, cardiac, metabolic, andimmune diseases. In the study of complex mammalian behaviors,technological limitations have prevented spatiotemporally precisecontrol over intracellular signaling processes. Current chemical-basedmethods for modulating secondary messenger levels, such as cAMP levels,operate relatively slowly and present problems to study activity on thefast timescales that the body uses in connection with certain tissue,such as in nervous or cardiac tissue. These chemical-methods often lackthe speed to probe these fast timescales (e.g., while screening fornovel therapeutics).

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to overcoming the above-mentionedchallenges and others related to generation of secondary messengers andrelated imaging devices and their implementations. The present inventionis exemplified in a number of implementations and applications, some ofwhich are summarized below.

Consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, a method isimplemented for generating secondary messengers in a cell. A nucleotidesequence for expressing a chimeric light responsive membrane protein(e.g., rhodopsin) is modified with one or more heterologous receptorsubunits {e.g., an adrenergic receptor (alpha1, Beta2)}. The lightresponsive membrane protein is expressed in a cell for producing asecondary messenger in response to light.

Consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, a method isimplemented for assessing the efficacy of a putative treatment regimen(e.g., a drug or electrical stimulus or anything that works via thesesecondary messengers) relating to intracellular messengers. A nucleotidesequence for expressing a chimeric light responsive membrane protein(rhodopsin) is modified with one or more heterologous receptor subunits{e.g., an adrenergic receptor (alpha1, Beta2)}. The light responsivemembrane protein is expressed in a cell for producing a secondarymessenger in response to light. The protein is exposed to light. Theeffects of the treatment are assessed.

An embodiment of the present invention is directed toward, a cellexpressing a chimeric light responsive membrane protein (rhodopsin) withone or more heterologous receptor subunits {e.g., an adrenergic receptor(alpha1, Beta2)}.

An embodiment of the present invention is directed toward, a nucleotidesequence for expressing a chimeric light responsive membrane protein(rhodopsin) with one or more heterologous receptor subunits {e.g., anadrenergic receptor (alpha1, Beta2)}.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the presentinvention. The figures and detailed description that follow moreparticularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thedetailed description of various embodiments of the invention thatfollows in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a schematic showing optoGs and optoGq, consistent withexample embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) of cAMP, cGMP,and IP₁ of cells transfected with either nothing, optoGs, or optoGq,consistent with example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1C shows Ca-imaging of cells transfected with mCherry fusionproteins of optoGs and optoGq, consistent with example embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 shows Ca-imaging of cells transfected with mCherry fusionproteins of optoGs and optoGq, consistent with example embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3A shows cAMP, IP₁ and IP₃ levels for HEK cells expressing variousconstructs, consistent with example embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B shows a lentiviral express vector, GAD immunostaining ofopto-α₁AR-expressing cells and observed pCREB activation inoptoXR-expressing cells (mCherry+) following 10 min optical stimulation,consistent with example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows optrode targeting of transduced accumbens, spike waveformsand baseline firing rates for indicated constructs, consistent withexample embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows in vivo optrode recordings with light stimulation,consistent with example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4C shows change in spiking frequency with light versus baseline,consistent with example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4D shows firing rate change kinetics, consistent with exampleembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A shows stereotactic targeting of a transduced region, a freelymoving mouse with implanted fiber optics, a schematic of placepreference apparatus and test and a trace of a freely exploring mouse,consistent with example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5B shows preferences for control and opto-α₁AR, consistent withexample embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 5C shows results of total distance for various open field tests;consistent with example embodiments of the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is believed to be useful for enabling practicalapplications of a variety of optical-based systems and methods, and theinvention has been found to be particularly suited for use in systemsand methods dealing with optical control of secondary messenger levelswithin a cell. While the present invention is not necessarily limited tosuch applications, various aspects of the invention may be appreciatedthrough a discussion of various examples using this context.

Embodiments of the present invention involve a chimeric membrane proteinthat responds to optical stimulus by causing the release of a secondarymessenger within the cell. In a specific instance, the chimeric proteinis a combination of a heterologous receptor subunit and a protein thatundergoes conformation in reaction to light via photoisomerization andthus is activated by light. Rhodopsins or retinylidene proteins providean example group of light-responsive proteins that can be modified toinclude a heterologous receptor subunit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a protein believedto contain a seven transmembrane α-helical domain is modified to includea heterologous receptor subunit associated with a secondary messenger.When expressed in a cell membrane, the protein reacts to light byundergoing a conformal change. The conformal change triggers therelease/production of the secondary messenger.

Embodiments of the present invention involve a nucleotide sequence forcoding a chimeric membrane protein that responds to optical stimulus bycausing the release of a secondary messenger within the cell.

Embodiments of the present invention involve a cell that expresses aheterologous and chimeric membrane protein. The chimeric membraneprotein responds to optical stimulus by triggering the release of asecondary messenger within the cell. In certain embodiments theexpression of the chimeric membrane protein occurs in vivo. In otherembodiments expression of the chimeric membrane protein occurs in vitro.

Embodiments of the present invention can implemented for production ofany suitable secondary messenger by modifying a Guaninenucleotide-binding protein coupled receptor protein (GPCR) to includethe appropriate receptor subunit.

Embodiments of the present invention allow for the use of proteins thatrespond to a variety of wavelengths and intensities of light.

An embodiment of the present invention involves the use of a chimericGPCR protein, as disclosed herein, to determine any downstream effect ofthe secondary messenger activity of interest.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to expression of achimeric GPCR protein in a variety of cell types including, but notlimited to, mammalian cells, stems cells, plant cells, and unicellularorganisms like yeast and E. coli.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is related to anoptimized expression of a chimeric protein with attached fluorescentproteins for ease of visualization, and optimized use of the modalityfor studying downstream effects of the secondary messenger activityinduced by light.

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to geneticallytargeting a chimeric GPCR protein, as disclosed herein, to specific cellpopulations for expression therein. Cell-type specific promoters existthat are selectively expressed in a target cell type (e.g., Synapsin-1for targeting neurons; Troponin variants for cardiac tissue). Placingthese promoters upstream of the chimeric GPCR protein in an expressionvector can be used to target expression of the protein to a cell type ofinterest. This includes inducible, reversible, or otherwise controllablepromoter systems such as Tet-response, ER-response, and Cre/Lox systems.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, agenetically encodeable protein is developed such that, when these areexpressed in cell types of interest, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) is produced in response to light. This can be useful, forexample, to visualize downstream effects on cell physiology including,but not limited to, screening for pharmaceuticals. Other embodiments usea chimeric and heterologous GPCR that results in the release ofsecondary messengers in response to light. Example secondary messengersinclude cAMP, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), inositoltrisphosphate/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/triphosphoinositol (IP₃) andarachidonic acid.

Consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, a method isimplemented for assessing the efficacy of a putative treatment regimen(e.g., a drug or electrical stimulus or anything that works via thesesecondary messengers) relating to intracellular messengers. A nucleotidesequence for expressing a chimeric light responsive membrane protein(e.g., rhodopsin) is modified with one or more heterologous receptorsubunits {e.g., an adrenergic receptor (alpha1, Beta2)}. The lightresponsive membrane protein is expressed in a cell for producing asecondary messenger in response to light. The protein is exposed tolight. The effects of the treatment are assessed.

The light can be applied according to a desired stimulus profile. In oneembodiment the expressed membrane protein responds to light within tensof milliseconds. Thus, the stimulus profile can include a series oflight pulses in rapid succession and the resulting effects can bemonitored using, for example, Ca²⁺ sensitive dyes.

In one instance, the cell can first be stimulated without the treatment.Once the treatment is administered, the cell can then be stimulatedagain. The results of each test can be compared to assess theeffectiveness of the treatment.

The treatment can include a wide variety of different implementationsincluding, but not limited to, pharmaceuticals, modifications to thecell (genetic or otherwise), physical parameters of the cell (e.g.,temperature changes or electrical stimulus) or a treatment regimenapplied to an organism.

In one embodiment, the treatment is the optical stimulus of theexpressed membrane protein. In such an instance the effectiveness can bemeasured, for example, by monitoring the symptoms associated with adisorder to be treated.

In another embodiment, the treatment regimen is implemented as part ofmodeling a disease or disorder. For example, a disease model can be used(cells or animals) and the background/baseline state can be assessedbefore the protein is expressed and the treatment regimen evaluated.

Experimental results show that optically-evoked cAMP regulation oftargeted ion channels can be visualized by transfecting cells with boththe cAMP-inducer and a cAMP-targeted cation channel and visualizingresultant activity using Ca²⁺-sensitive dyes. This suite ofgenetically-encodable, optically-activated modulators of secondarymessenger activity can be useful in screening novel therapeutics as wellas being a therapeutic modality itself, given the implication of cAMP innumerous diseases states, like ADHD and cardiac channelopathies. Theprotein can be engineered for use with various other secondarymessengers (e.g., IP₃), other colors for light activation by engineeringthe retinal binding site or choosing for the chimera a rhodopsin or coneopsin with a different absorbance/action spectrum, and other downstreameffects of the secondary messenger, such as calcium signaling and/orkinase activity.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show experimental data from optoGs and optoGq, twoexamples of light-activated inducers of secondary messenger signaling(‘optoXRs’) that have been developed. These light-activated inducers area rhodopsin/GPCR chimerism. OptoGq provides light-responsive control ofGq signaling, whereas, OptoGs, provides light-responsive control of Gssignaling.

In both optoGs and optoGq it has been shown that there is negligibledifference in baseline cAMP and IP₃ levels in darkness and that there isno crossover to other secondary messenger pathways such as cGMP. Theincreased cAMP levels seen with light stimulation of optoGq is anexpected downstream effect of IP₃ production.

FIG. 1A shows a schematic of optoGs and optoGq, consistent with exampleembodiments of the present invention. For each protein, theintracellular loops of rhodopsin are replaced with those of adrenergicproteins normally coupled to either Gs (beta2) or Gq (alpha1). Thegenetic coding sequences are optimized for expression in human andmurine cells. Examples of the resulting sequences include optoGs: Seq.Id. No. 1 and Seq. Id. No. 2; and optoGq: Seq. Id No. 3 and Seq. Id. No4.

As is appreciated by the skilled artisan, the amino acid sequences ofthe proteins are presented as non-limiting examples in support ofembodiments which extend to variations (e.g., point mutations) in thegenetic sequence that otherwise provide consistent, interchangeable orequivalent results.

FIG. 1B shows Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) of cAMP (top),cGMP (middle), and IP₁ (bottom; a degradation product of IP₃) of cellstransfected with either nothing, optoGs, or optoGq, consistent with anexample embodiment of the present invention. The results of FIG. 1B wereobtained from cells that were stimulated with 504 nm light (20 nmbandwidth) for one minute per spot or kept in the dark, as indicated.

Stimulation was implemented using an environment-controlled invertedculture microscope (Leica DMI6000B). In the cAMP assay, some cells weretreated with 10 uM forskolin for 30 minutes as a saturating, positivecontrol of the assay. OptoGs significantly increased cAMP levels inresponse to light. No significant baseline increase of cAMP, ordeviations of cGMP or IP₃ levels with optoGs were found. OptoGqsignificantly increased IP3 levels in response to light withoutsignificantly altering cGMP levels. An increase in cAMP levels with IP₃production is believed to be a consequence of intracellular Ca²⁺release.

FIG. 1C shows Ca-imaging of cells transfected with mCherry fusionproteins of optoGs and optoGq, consistent with example embodiments ofthe present invention. To detect cAMP, a cAMP-selective mutant of thecyclic nucleotide gated Ca²⁺ channel CNGA2 was transfected in excess ofoptoGs. IP₃ activates release of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, therebyproviding a reliable signal of Gq activation. A control population wasalso transfected with mCherry alone with the mutant CNGA2 in excess.Cells were loaded with fura-2 (20-25 minute incubation) and 2 msexposures of 340 nm and 380 nm were acquired every two seconds. In eachof optoGs and optoGq the acquisitions alone were sufficient to yield aCa signal, while no significant signal was detected in the controlpopulation.

FIG. 1 shows data obtained from a specific experimental setup, however,the invention is not so limited. For example, various deliver techniquesother than transfecting are contemplated including, but not limited to,viral transduction, ballistic gene delivery (gene gun), and spontaneousnucleic acid uptake.

The base-rhodopsin can be modified for use with any suitableheterologous receptor subunits, such as Gi-coupled receptors like thealpha2-adrenergic receptor or the dopamine D2 receptor or the serotonin5HT2A receptor; or other Gs- or Gq-coupled receptors like the dopamineD1A receptor or the metabotropic glutamate receptors.

According to one example embodiment, the base-rhodopsin is a proteinderived from the bovine Bos taurus.

According to one embodiment the base-protein other than thebase-rhodopsin mentioned above can also be used and includes various7-transmembrane proteins, such as the cone opsins (red, green, or blue),rhodopsins of other species, and ligand-gated receptors like thedopamine or serotonin receptors.

Various implementations relate to in vivo applications in mammals Theseimplementations include, but are not limited to, testing and confirmingneural circuit and disease models.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show experimental data from an in vivo application ofoptoGs (opto-β₂AR) and optoGq (opto-α₁AR), which are two examples oflight-activated inducers of secondary messenger signaling. Aspects ofthe present invention relate to the use and development of a versatilefamily of genetically encoded optical tools (‘optoXRs’) that leveragecommon structure—function relationships among G-protein-coupledreceptors (GPCRs) to recruit and control, with high spatiotemporalprecision, receptor-initiated biochemical signaling pathways.

The results shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B relate to two specific optoXRs thatselectively recruit distinct, targeted signaling pathways in response tolight. The two optoXRs exerted opposing effects on spike firing innucleus accumbens in vivo, and precisely timed optoXR photostimulationin nucleus accumbens by itself sufficed to drive conditioned placepreference in freely moving mice. The optoXR approach allows testing ofhypotheses regarding the causal impact of biochemical signaling inbehaving mammals, in a targetable and temporally precise manner.

Optical control over intracellular signaling was implemented in mammals,using shared structure—function relationships among GPCRs to develop andexpress in vivo multiple distinct opsin/GPCR2 chimeras with noveltransduction logic that couples signal to effector. Consistent withvarious implementations, one or more chimeric opsin-receptor proteinsare engineered to be functional within mammals in vivo, targetable tospecific cells, and responsive to precisely timed light pulses. Suchapproaches allow for the use of high-speed optical stimulus (and proteinresponse) to test for and characterize intracellular biochemical eventsat precisely-defined and behaviorally-relevant times. A few non-limitingexample implementations include, pulsatile versus tonic modulation,synchrony between different modulatory systems, and other fundamentalphysiological and pathological processes in defined cell types over arange of timescales.

Mammalian implementations have been successfully implemented. In oneexample implementation, the intracellular loops of rhodopsin werereplaced with those of specific adrenergic receptors by first aligningconserved residues of the Gq-coupled human α_(1a) adrenergic receptor(α₁AR) and the Gs-coupled hamster β₂-adrenergic receptor (β₂AR) with theGt-coupled bovine rhodopsin (FIG. 1A). Exchanges of intracellularregions (including carboxy-terminal domains) were engineered for eachreceptor based on structural models to transfer G-protein coupling fromGt, and optimized each receptor for in vivo expression in mammals Uponactivation by varied ligands, the native receptors can explore multipleensemble states to recruit canonical and non-canonical pathways in aligand-biased signaling phenomenon. The optoXRs are likely to select asingle active ensemble state upon sensing light in a manner dependent onbiological context.

Genes encoding chimeras (opto-α₁AR and optoβ₂AR) were fused to afluorescent protein. Validation of functional optoXR expression, wasaccomplished through imaged [Ca²⁺]_(i) (intracellular calciumconcentration) in HEK cells transfected with opto-α₁AR alone (expectedto recruit[Ca²⁺]_(i) via Gq), or with both opto-β₂AR (expected torecruit cyclic AMP via Gs) and the cAMP-gated Ca²⁺ channelCNGA2-C460W/E583M. Ratiometric [Ca²⁺]_(i) imaging demonstrated that 60 sof green light stimulation (504+/−6 nm, 7 mW mm⁻²) was sufficient todrive prominent [Ca²⁺]_(i) signals downstream of either optoXR but notin control conditions (FIG. 2), revealing functional expression. To testspecificity of the signaling controlled by each optoXR, transduced HEKcells were illuminated with 3 mW mm⁻² 504+/−6 nm light for 60 s and thenlysed and analyzed for levels of cGMP, cAMP and IP₁ (a degradationproduct of IP₃) via immunoassays. The canonical pattern was as expectedfor opto-β₂AR corresponding to its molecular design, as opticalstimulation yielded significant production of cAMP inopto-β₂AR-expressing cells (FIG. 3A, top), comparable to that achievedwith pharmacological stimulation of the wild-type β₂AR and withoutrecruitment of IP₃ (FIG. 3A, middle), [Ca²⁺]_(i) (FIG. 2), orsubstantial dark activity. In contrast, optical stimulation yieldedsignificant upregulation of IP₃ signaling in opto-α₁AR-expressing cells(FIG. 3A, middle), comparable to levels induced by pharmacologicalstimulation of the wild-type α₁AR. Together with the [Ca²⁺]_(i)elevations (FIG. 2), these data reveal the pattern expected for Gqrecruitment, a pattern not seen in opto-β₂AR-expressing cells (FIG. 3A,top). Optical stimulation of cells expressing either construct wasunable to modulate cGMP levels (FIG. 3A, bottom), further indicating thesignaling specificity of the chimeric proteins. Similar assays revealedthat the optoXRs retain an action spectrum close to that of nativerhodopsin, are able to integrate signals over a range of biologicallysuitable light fluxes, and can activate non-canonical pathways to asimilar extent as wild-type receptors, as for p42/p44-MAPK signaling.

OptoXR performance in intact neural tissue has been tested, includingwhether or not supplementation of retinal cofactors was necessary. Inone such test, lentiviral vectors carrying the optoXR fusion genes undercontrol of the synapsin-I promoter (to target biochemical modulation tolocal neurons rather than other potentially Gs/Gq-responsive cellulartissue elements such as glia and endothelial cells; FIG. 3B, top left)were stereotactically injected into the nucleus accumbens of adult mice.This strategy targets biochemical modulation to neurons withsomatodendritic compartments in accumbens (˜95% GABAergic medium spinyneurons, without further subtype specificity; FIG. 3B, left) andexcludes fibers of passage or afferent presynaptic terminals as theselentiviruses do not transduce cells via axons. Two weeks aftertransduction, acute coronal slices of accumbens were prepared inartificial cerebrospinal fluid, optically stimulated for 10 min, andimmediately fixed and stained for Ser 133-phosphorylated CREB (pCREB), abiochemical integrator of both cAMP and Ca²⁺-coupled signaling cascades.Without supplementation of exogenous retinoids, significantly elevatedpCREB was observed in the optoXR-expressing populations (FIG. 3B, right)and not in non-illuminated tissue.

The functional consequences of optoXR activation on accumbens localelectrical activity was determined by recording multi-unit in vivoneuronal firing with an optrode targeted to transduced accumbens (FIG.4A). No significant differences in baseline firing rates were observedin the dark with either construct (FIG. 4A, bottom right). Opticalstimulation resulted in decreased network firing in opto-β₂AR-expressingaccumbens (left trace in FIG. 4B illustrates effect kinetics; summarydata shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D respectively), in agreement with previouspharmacological studies targeting Gs. Optical stimulation increasedfiring in opto-α₁AR-expressing accumbens (FIG. 4B right; FIG. 4C, 4D).Spike frequency histograms showed that the kinetics of optoXR effects onfiring rates was consistent with biochemical rather than electricalinitiation of the signal (FIG. 4D). These electrophysiological data, incombination with the earlier biochemical validations, support thatoptoXRs can be functionally expressed in vivo, to permit differentialphotoactivatable control of intracellular cascades and to modulatenetwork physiology.

In one implementation, optogenetics were used to assess the ability ofprecisely timed optoXR stimulation to modulate behavior in freely movingmice. Portable solid-state light delivery was combined with transgenicexpression of optoXRs to optically control intracellular signalingwithin accumbens neurons in the temporally precise manner used foroperant behavior (FIG. 5A). Confocal analysis revealed expression to belimited to local accumbens neurons; in particular no labeling wasobserved in afferent fibers, in distant regions projecting to accumbens,in glia, or in surrounding regions. Optical stimulation was targeted totransduced accumbens as part of a three-day operant conditioned placepreference assay (FIG. 5A). On each day of the test, animals wereallowed to freely explore the place preference apparatus (FIG. 5A,bottom). On day 1, animals freely explored the apparatus without opticalstimulation. On day 2, whenever the animal freely entered the designatedconditioned chamber, a laser-diode-coupled optical fiber registered tothe transduced region delivered light pulses at 10 Hz to approximate thelikely intensity of monoaminergic input during strong reward. Pathtracing revealed that the flexible optical fiber approach allowed fulland unimpeded exploration of all chambers (FIG. 5A, bottom). On day 3,animals again freely explored the apparatus without optical stimulation,and the time spent in the conditioned chamber was quantified by twoindependent, blinded scorers. Notably, animals expressing opto-α₁ARshowed a robust increase in preference for the conditioned side of theapparatus following optical stimulation (FIG. 5B). This effect oftemporally precise biochemical modulation was reproducible across twoseparate cohorts of opto-α₁AR animals (n=5-6, P<0.05, Student's t-testfor each cohort for time in conditioned chamber; n=11, P<0.01 for thetotal population), whereas the other opsin genes, opto-β₂AR and ChR2,appeared less effective in driving preference. The effect of opto-α₁ARstimulation in accumbens neurons was specific to reward-related behaviorand did not extend to direct modulation of anxiety-related behaviors orlocomotor activity, as identical optical stimulation delivered to acohort of the same animals in an open field test revealed no significanteffect on distance travelled or preference for wall proximity (FIG. 5C).

A specific and non-limiting implementation that is consistent with theabove experiments is now described. In vivo recording and analysis wasperformed using optrodes consisting of a multi-mode optical fiber 200 mmin diameter (Thorlabs) coupled to a recording electrode (1MV tungsten,A-M Systems) with an electrode/fiber tip-to-tip distance of 200-400 mmwere lowered into the transduced accumbens (electrode tip 4.8-5.2 mmbelow bregma) of mice placed in a stereotactic frame (David KopfInstruments) and anaesthetized under isoflurane. Light from a 473 nmdiode laser (CrystaLaser) was delivered through the fiber. Electricalsignals were bandpass filtered and amplified (0.3-1 kHz, 1800Microelectrode AC Amplifier, A-M Systems) and analyzed with pClamp 10.0(Molecular Devices). Spikes were detected by threshold and individuallyconfirmed by inspection.

Behavioral analysis was performed using optical stimulation that wasapplied through an optical fiber (200 mm diameter, Thor Labs) coupled toa 473 nm blue diode laser (CrystaLaser) and registered with a cannulatargeting accumbens (0-100 mm from tip). Light was delivered with 50 mspulse width for optoXRs via a function generator (Agilent 33220A). Placepreference was conducted in a standard apparatus (SD Instruments) withwalls between chambers removed to permit free exploration. Data wereanalyzed from video for amount of time spent in each chamber by twoindependent, blinded observers using a custom tallying script run inMATLAB (Mathworks). For open field tests, animals were placed in asquare open field measuring 40340 cm; light stimulation was deliveredwith the same parameters as for place preference experiments. Videoswere analyzed using automated software (Viewpoint), for total time anddistance in the central 15315 cm square versus the outer annulus(remainder of the field).

Statistical analysis, where indicated, was performed using two-tailedStudent's t-tests (calculated in Microsoft Excel) or one-way ANOVA withTukey post-hoc tests (GraphPad Prism) were used. All summary bar graphsare presented as mean+/−s.e.m., with significance denoted as follows:*P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001.

Further details supporting the surprising results and effectiveness ofvarious embodiments of the present invention can be found in Temporallyprecise in vivo control of intracellular signalling, Raag D. Airan, etal., Nature 458, 1025-1029 (23 Apr. 2009), which is fully incorporatedherein by reference.

The following description provides details for specific and non-limitingmethod that is consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.Numerous variations of this methodology are envisioned and within thescope of the present invention.

Vector Construction

Mammalian codon optimized sequences of opto-α₁AR and opto-β₂AR (aminoacid sequences in FIG. 1A) were synthesized and cloned into pcDNA3.1,and fused to the N-terminus of mCherry or YFP (with its start codondeleted) using the NotI site. The linker between the optoXR andmCherry/YFP is 5′ GCGGCCGCC 3′. Lentiviral vectors containing Synapsin IoptoXR mCherry were constructed by cloning the transgene for each optoXRmCherry into the AgeI and EcoRI sites of the pLenti SynapsinI hChR2mCherry WPRE vector.

Lentiviral Production

High titer lentivirus was produced. Briefly, HEK 293FT cells were platedto 90% confluence in a 4-layer cell factory (Nunc) cultured with DMEMcontaining 10% FBS. Cells were co-transfected with 690 μg of thelentiviral vector described above and two helper plasmids (690 μg ofpΔCMVR8.74 and 460 μg of pMD2.G). Media was changed at 15 h posttransfection. At 24 h post transfection, media was changed with 200-220mL of serum free UltraCULTURE (Cambrex) containing 5 mM sodium butyrate.At 40 h post transfection, the culture supernatant, now containingviruses, was spun at 1000 rpm for 5 min to remove cellular debris andthen filtered using a 0.45 μm low-protein-binding filter flask. Theclarified supernatant was then ultra centrifuged for 2 h at 55,000 gusing an SW 28 rotor (Beckman) to precipitate the virus. Aftercentrifugation, supernatant was discarded and the resultant viral pelletwas dissolved in a total of 100 μL of cold (4° C.) PBS. The resuspendedvirus was centrifuged for 5 min at 7000 rpm to remove remaining cellularand viral debris. Aliquots were frozen at −80° C. until further use.

Animal Surgery and Behavior

Female C57BL/6 mice, 10-12 weeks old, were housed and handled accordingto the Laboratory Vertebrate Animals protocol of Stanford University.Virus solution was delivered to the right nucleus accumbens as follows.Animals were anaesthetized under isoflurane and fur was sheared from thetop of the head. While under isoflurane anesthesia, the head of theanimal was placed in a stereotactic frame (David Kopf Instruments). Amidline scalp incision was made and a ˜1 mm diameter craniotomy wasdrilled 1.10 mm anterior, and 1.45 mm lateral to bregma. A beveled 33gauge needle (NanoFil, World Precision Instruments) pre-loaded withvirus was then lowered into the accumbens (needle tip at 4.70-4.80 mmventral to bregma) and 1.0 μL of virus was injected at 100 nL/min usingan automated syringe pump (NanoFil, World Precision Instruments).Following injection, 3-5 min was allowed for tissue relaxation and fluiddiffusion before retraction of the needle. For animals targeted foracute slice or in vivo recording experiments, the craniotomy was filledwith dental cement (Lang Dental) and the incision was closed usingVetBond (3M). For animals targeted for behavioral analysis, cannulas(C316G, cut 4.5 mm below the pedestal; PlasticsOne) were placed with thepedestal flush to the skull. Cannulae were secured using Metabond(Parkell) and dental cement (Lang Dental). Following drying of VetBondor cement, animals were removed from the frame and allowed to recoverfor at least one week before further manipulation. Control animals forbehavioral experiments underwent the same manipulations (surgery,cannula implantation, light stimulation) as experimental animals, andwere injected with vehicle (PBS) alone instead of virus. For placepreference experiments, animals that did not show a baseline preferencefor either side chamber (>70% or <10%) or for the central chamber (>40%)were admitted into the study; >90% of all animals met these criteria foran unbiased, balanced place preference design.

Acute Slice Preparation

Animals were anaesthetized under isoflurane and decapitated usingsurgical shears (Fine Science Tools). Coronal, 275 μm-thick slicescontaining accumbens were cut and stored in a cutting solutioncontaining 64 mM NaCl, 2.5 mM KCl, 1.25 mM NaH₂PO₄, 25 mM NaHCO₃, 10 mMglucose, 120 mM sucrose, 0.5 mM CaCl₂ and 7 mM MgCl₂ (equilibrated with95% O2/5% CO₂). Following slicing, slices were incubated in the cuttingsolution at 32-35° C. for 30 min and then at room temperature untilexperimentation. For ex vivo optoXR stimulation, slices were loaded onthe stage of an upright microscope (BX51W, Olympus) and perfused with anartificial cerebrospinal fluid containing 124 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl, 1.25 mMNaH₂PO₄, 26 mM NaHCO₃, 10 mM glucose, 2.4 mM CaCl₂, and 1.3 mM MgCl₂(equilibrated with 95% O₂/5% CO₂). Light from a 300 W Lambda DG-4(Sutter) was passed through a 473 nm±20 nm bandpass filter (Semrock) andapplied to the slices using a 4× objective (0.28 NA) for 10 min followedimmediately by fixation for later analysis.

Signaling Validation Assays

HEK293FT cells (Invitrogen) were transfected using Lipofectamine 2000(Invitrogen) in 24 well plates and changed to serum-free medium 4-6 hrspost-transfection. For Ca²⁺ imaging, cells plated on matrigel-coatedcoverslips were loaded with 5 μg/ml fura-2 AM in F-127 Pluronic/DMSO(Probes) in Tyrode containing 1 μM ATR, at 37° C. and 5% atmospheric CO₂for 20-25 min. Following loading, coverslips were imaged at 340 nm/380nm on an Olympus BX51W using Metafluor (Axon Instruments) controlling a300 W Lambda DG-4 (Sutter). For immunoassays, 18-24 hrs aftertransfection, 1 μM ATR and 50 mM LiCl (to prevent IP₁ degradation) wereadded and plates transferred to an environmentally-controlled microscope(Leica DMI6000; 37° C., 5% atmospheric CO₂). 5 regions/well wereoptically stimulated for 1 min each (Sutter 300 W Lambda DG-4; Semrock504/12 nm bandpass filter; 10× 0.30 NA objective); 3 wells/condition.Following incubation (cAMP/cGMP: 20 min; IP₁: 1 hr), cells were lysedand analyze by HTRF (CisBio) and a Biotek Synergy4 reader.

Immunohistochemistry and Confocal Analysis

Following in vivo stimulation, mice were transcardially perfused withice-cold 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) in PBS (pH 7.4) 90 min aftertermination of stimulation. Brains were removed and fixed overnight in4% PFA and then equilibrated in 30% sucrose in PBS. Coronal, 40 μm-thicksections were cut on a freezing microtome and stored in cryoprotectantat 4° C. until processed for immunohistochemistry. Free-floatingsections were washed in PBS and then incubated for 30 min in 0.3% Tx100and 3% normal donkey serum (NDS). For acute slice experiments,immediately following stimulation the 275 μm-thick slices were fixed for1 hr in ice-cold 4% PFA and incubated with 0.5% Tx100 and 3% NDS. ForMAPK assays, immediately following HEK293 cell stimulation, coverslipswere fixed for 15 min, incubated with 0.6% H2O2 and then permeabilizedwith 0.1% Tx100 in 3% NDS. Primary antibody incubations were conductedovernight in 0.01% Tx100 and 3% NDS for mouse anti-GAD67 1:500,Millipore, Billerica, Mass.; rabbit anti-cfos 1:500, Calbiochem, SanDiego, Calif.; rabbit anti-phospho-CREB Ser133 1:500, Millipore.Sections were washed and incubated with secondary antibodies (1:1000)conjugated to either FITC or Cy5 (Jackson Laboratories, West Grove, Pa.)for 3 hrs at room temperature. Following 20 min incubation with DAPI(1:50,000) sections were washed and mounted on microscope slides withPVD-DABCO. The remaining overnight primary antibody incubations (rabbitanti-phosphoErk1/2; anti-phospho-MARK p38 1:500, Promega, Madison, Wis.;mouse monoclonal anti-dopamine D1 receptor 1:50, Chemicon; rabbitpolyclonal anti-dopamine D2 receptor 1:50, Millipore; goat polyclonalanti-choline acetyltransferase 1:200, Millipore) were followed byincubation with biotinylated secondary antibody (1:500, JacksonLaboratories), avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase treatment (ABC kit,Vector Labs, Burlingame, Calif.), and TSA detection (Perkin Elmer,Shelton, Conn.) according to manufacturer's instructions.

Confocal fluorescence images were acquired on a Leica TCS SP5 scanninglaser microscope using a 20×/0.70 NA or a 40×/1.25 NA oil immersionobjective. Four serial stack images per condition were acquired within a500 μm region beneath the cannula tract. DAPI staining was used todelineate nuclei for determination of the mean pixel intensity of cfosor pCREB immunoreactivity using Volocity (Improvision) software.Positive or pCREB-active cells were identified by intensity threshold,and image acquisition and analysis were performed blind to theexperimental conditions.

TABLE S1 Raw numerical pCREB intensities (au) for data represented inFIG. 3B. Mean and SEM in bold for each subgroup; p-values for two-tailedt-test of subgroup versus control in italics. opto-α₁AR opto-β₂ARmCherry − + − + Mean 65.326 97.95309 63.6385 82.83284 SEM 3.7582817.199024 3.847409 6.907057 p-value vs. mCherry- 0.000272 0.019559

TABLE S2 Raw numerical baseline firing rates (Hz) for data presented inFIG. 4A. Mean and SEM in bold for each subgroup; p-values for t-test ofsubgroup versus in italics. XFP oα₁AR oβ₂AR Mean 2.596154 2.4393572.687798 SEM 0.436406 0.603845 0.346556 p-value vs XFP 0.834496 0.869791

TABLE S3 Raw numerical changes in firing rate (Hz) for data presented inFIG. 4C calculated within the baseline itself (‘Base’) and between thebaseline and the light stimulation periods (‘Light’). opto-β₂AROpto-α₁AR Base Light Base Light Mean 0.061788 −0.68113 −0.01287 3.816198SEM 0.134665 0.162402 0.336387 0.812251 p-value vs Base 0.0008610.000239

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention relate to optogeneticcontrol of intracellular signaling and are useful for temporallyprecision while operating in vivo within behaving mammals, whiledisplaying extremely low dark activity, and recruiting the complexfabric of multiple signaling molecules downstream of native receptors,thereby unifying in a single technology many of the individual positiveaspects of other approaches. Similar embodiments directly probe thecausal significance of seven-transmembrane-dependent signaling pathwaystriggered by other modulators, including myriad neurotransmitters andendocrine hormones. Other embodiments use an optoXR approach in waysthat extend beyond excitable cells to capitalize upon the versatileintegration of fiber-optic depth targeting with optogenetically targetedphotosensitivity. One such embodiment relates to probing causalsignificance of temporally precise biochemical signaling in diversenon-excitable tissues.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to considerations of thephenomenon of ligand-biased signaling, wherein varied ligands canstabilize ensemble receptor conformational states and thereby bias theintracellular action of the receptor in coupling to alternativetransduction cascades. The optoXRs are used to induce these alternativecascades to similar levels as with pharmacological manipulation (forexample, opto-β₂AR can induce similar changes in MAPK activationcompared with native ligand acting on the wild-type β₂AR); however,individual optoXRs may not always be found to permit control of all ofthe conformational states that contribute to ligand biased signalingRetinal-based tools can be particularly useful due to the presence ofthe endogenous chromophore in mammalian tissues, and the extremely lowactivity in the dark. Optogenetics can take the form of diverseeffectors linked to fast, single-component retinal-binding modules,capitalizing on the temporal precision of optics.

Embodiments of the present invention use optoXR methods to complementmicrobial opsin strategies, providing another dimension of fast,targetable cellular control operative in behaving mammals.

Consistent with another embodiment of the present invention,wavelength-shifted versions of the optoXRs, based on known opsin geneswith different action spectra, are used. Such optoXRs can beparticularly useful for providing separable channels of biochemical andelectrical control.

Variants of the specific protein sequences discussed herein areconsistent with embodiments of the present invention. Some variants aregreater than about 75% homologous to these protein sequences, whileothers are greater than about 80%, 85% or 90%. In some embodiments thehomology will be as high as about 93 to about 95 or about 98%. Thecompositions of the present invention include the protein and nucleicacid sequences provided herein including variants which are more thanabout 50% homologous to the provided sequence up to and including 100%homologous.

The various embodiments discussed herein could be integrated with fastcircuit readout technologies for increasingly sophisticatedinterrogation and reverse engineering of neural circuitry, both innormal operation and in disease states.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention.Based on the above discussion and illustrations, those skilled in theart will readily recognize that various modifications and changes may bemade to the present invention without strictly following the exemplaryembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein. Forinstance, such changes may include variations of the secondary messengerproduced. Such modifications and changes do not depart from the truespirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for generating secondary messengers in acell, the method comprising: expressing in the cell a chimericlight-responsive fusion protein comprising a light-responsiverhodopsin-based membrane protein and a heterologous alpha-1 adrenergicreceptor, wherein said expression provides for production of a secondarymessenger in response to light, and wherein the chimericlight-responsive fusion protein comprises an amino acid sequence havingat least 85% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO:4; wherein the cell expresses a secondarymessenger-targeted cation channel that is responsive to the secondarymessenger; and visualizing resultant activity using a cation-sensitivedye.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary messenger isinositol trisphosphate/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/triphosphoinositol(IP₃).
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of expressing isaccomplished in vivo.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofexpressing is accomplished in vitro.
 5. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding the step of optically stimulating the expressed lightresponsive membrane protein.
 6. A method for assessing the efficacy of atreatment regimen relating to intracellular messengers, the methodcomprising: expressing a chimeric light-responsive fusion proteincomprising a light-responsive rhodopsin-based membrane protein and aheterologous alpha-1 adrenergic receptor in a mammalian cell, whereinsaid expression provides for production of a secondary messenger inresponse to light, and wherein the chimeric light-responsive fusionprotein comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 85% amino acidsequence identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4;wherein the cell expresses a secondary messenger-targeted cation channelthat is responsive to the secondary messenger; exposing the chimericlight-responsive fusion protein to light; and assessing the effects ofthe treatment by visualizing resultant activity using a cation-sensitivedye.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence has atleast 90% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO:4.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the chimericlight-responsive fusion protein is encoded by a nucleotide sequence thatis operably linked to a cell type-specific promoter.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the cell is a mammalian cell.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the cell is a neuron.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein thecell type-specific promoter is a neuron-specific promoter.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the promoter is a synapsin-1 promoter. 13.The method of claim 5, wherein the step of optically stimulating theexpressed light responsive chimeric membrane protein comprises applyinglight through an optical fiber.
 14. The method of claim 5, wherein thestep of optically stimulating the expressed light responsive chimericmembrane protein comprises applying a pulsatile optical stimulus. 15.The method of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence has at least 95%amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQID NO:4.
 16. The method of claim 6, wherein the secondary messenger isinositol trisphosphate/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/triphosphoinositol(IP₃).
 17. The method of claim 6, wherein the amino acid sequence has atleast 90% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO:4.
 18. The method of claim 6, wherein the amino acidsequence has at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4.
 19. The method of claim 6, whereinthe chimeric light-responsive fusion protein is encoded by a nucleotidesequence that is operably linked to a cell type-specific promoter. 20.The method of claim 6, wherein the cell is a neuron.
 21. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the cell type-specific promoter is a neuron-specificpromoter.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the promoter is asynapsin-1 promoter.